Torres del Paine National Park

The Torres del Paine National Park is located in the heart of the Chilean Patagonia region , 400 kilometers north of Punta Arenas. It encompasses 598,000 acres and is located at 51°7’ latitude south and 79°59’ longitude west.
Because of the unique formation of its mountains, glaciers, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, flora and fauna, this region is considered among the most beautiful in the world.

Getting There
Take an international flight to Santiago, Chile (SCL) followed by a 4 hour flight from SCL to Punta Arenas (PUQ). Once in PUQ, an explora representative will meet guests and take them to explora's transfer van. The van ride is approximately 5 hrs. 2 hrs, 30 min (250 km/ 155 miles) on a paved road from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales, where we stop for a quick snack, followed by 2 hrs, 30 min (150 km/ 93 miles) on a dirt road from Puerto Natales to xplora Patagonia.

Climate
The park features microclimates, but the general climate in the region is maritime, with pleasant temperatures during the summer and winter. During the rainiest month, precipitation rarely exceeds more than 3.3 inches (85millimetres). There is snowfall during the winter, but it is usually light to medium, and seldom impedes excursions.
Wind is an important factor, because it can blow as strong as 110 km per hour (70 mph), producing continually changing climactic conditions. It can be raining and in a short while the wind will blow out the clouds, leaving the resplendent sun. Winds typically blow in from the west and are strongest during the end of spring and during
summer. There is hardly any wind during the winter, save the occasional storm, and days are typically radiant and clear. The majority of snow is found at higher levels or the park, and lower levels and lake areas only see a few weeks of thin snow cover per year.

Altitude
Although Torres del Paine is home to peaks that reach a height of 3,000 meters (9,840 feet), the lower plainsof the park are just 46 meters (150 feet) above sea level.

Best Time to Visit
Year round

Explora Patagonia Hotel:
explora's Hotel Salto Chico can be found on the shore of Lago Pehoé, facing a breathtaking panoramic view of Macizo del Paine. Conceived as a base for explorations, the Hotel Salto Chico features every amenity for guests
to really relax, and the equipment necessary to head out and explore Patagonia.
The hotel has a television salon, telephones, fax, and radio contact within the park. There is also laundry service, a restaurant, game room, bar and shop.
An annex, Casa de Baños del Ona, located near the hotel, houses a heated indoor lap pool, two outdoor Jacuzzis, exercise corner, sauna and massage salons.

Explora Patagonia Programs:

4 nights
8 nights

Accomodations:The hotel has only 50 rooms, as follows:

· 6 Suites Exploradores, 39 m2 (396 sq.ft), with view of Macizo del Paine.
· 36 Cordillera Paine Rooms, 26 m2 (264 sq.ft), with view of Macizo del Paine.
· 7 Salto Chico Rooms, 26 m2 (264 sq.ft), with view of Salto Chico waterfall.
· 2 Río Paine Rooms, 19 m2 (193 sq.ft), with view of Salto Chico waterfall.

Neither a matrimonial bed nor an additional bed is permitted in the Rio Paine rooms.
Parents may add an additional bed for a child 12 years of age or younger in the Cordillera Paine, Salto Chico and Suites Exploradores.

Explora / Services
· Dining room serving exceptional cuisine
· Bar
· Room service
· Shop with explora clothing and other sundries
· In-room telephone with international and national direct dial
· Game room equipped with videos and laser discs
· Satellite dish with communication access to Chile and the world
· Meeting room
· Library
· Laundry service
· Lockers: there is a locker for every room at the entrance of the hotel
· Internet available

Casa de Baños del Ona
· Heated indoor lap pool
· Sauna
· Exercise corner
· Massage service
· Outdoor Jacuzzis

Explorations in Patagonia
Explorations have been carefully created and are classified according to duration, level of difficulty and guests desires. Each day our guests can choose from 5 different options. Hiking, horseback riding, in a van or by motorboat; in groups no larger than 10 guests accompanied by a bilingual guide, explorations allow an in-depth contact with the wonders of Torres del Paine National Park, year round.

Explora Patagonia / Clothing
Outdoor explorations require a waterproof parka or windbreaker; loose-fitting pants; long underwear (and a warm sweater or fleece is advisable due to changing climatic conditions); hiking boots or good walking shoes with a rubber sole (we recommend that shoes be waterproof); gloves; hat; sunglasses; sunscreen, lip protection, sneakers.At the hotel, guests may dress for comfort. The hotel maintains an agreeable temperature inside, the reason why we recommend that guests wear casual, light clothing while indoors.